India’s official broadcaster Doordarshan would be expanding its outreach to around 100 nations

The decision to start broadcasts in a country will depend on factors like the percentage of the Indian diaspora in a particular nation. Photo courtesy: Facebook@Doordarshan National (DD1)

In an effort to put across India’s outlook on various domestic and global affairs, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is contemplating expansion of Doordarshan’s 24-hour broadcast.

In order to amplify these broadcasts, the Indian Information and Broadcasting ministry is considering expansion of its DD 24-hour news to around 100 nations, directed at reaching out to the Indian diaspora and table the country’s approach on various national and international issues.

The development will put India in the league of countries, including the UK and China, whose public broadcasters reach a number of nations.

Currently, Doordarshan’s (DD India) 24-hour programme transmits news, cultural and general entertainment programmes for the diaspora in countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Indians living abroad are valued not because of the numbers, but also for their strength in how they represent and retain the best of Indian cultures, ethics and values. The broadcast extension will allow these overseas Indians to engage with the government regarding their issues of concern, to explore opportunities for investment in India and contribute to the country of their origin.

The decision to start broadcasts in a country will depend on factors like the percentage of the Indian diaspora in a particular nation, inflow and outflow of foreign direct investments, remittance and tourist arrivals from that country, and financial implications like the cost of engaging a local cable for carrying the Indian channel as well as stationing correspondents.

The ministry will also look at whether India has strategic partnerships with that nation, number of visits of the prime minister to that country, and whether the Ministry of External Affairs has joint secretary level officers there.